March 17, 2007 7 Day Eastern

[SB's Mom]

Smarttyone!
I hope you will love the Disney cruise as much as my family! We were on the Eastern cruise in June and had a wonderful time. Maybe our dd's can chat before the cruise. Stacy (my dd) is also 8 and she chatted with girls from St Louis before our last cruise and our families meet on the ship and continue to chat!

If you have any question we might answer, just ask. You will find this thread to be a friendly crew!

If all of you needing passport pictures were near by, I'ld be happy to take them. I do them for our mission teams at church. There are guide lines on the internet and you can do them yourself by following their guideline. I'll be making my DD's in November or December. She is so excited about having her own passport (we been able to use her birth certificate for our other trips!)


Have a great day everyone!
Charlene

 

[MN Dis Fans]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! and welcome aboard!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Welcome Smarttyone! Hope you'll love cruising as much as we do!!

Charlene--Do you think if we put a white sheet behind baby and set him in his carseat to take his picture that it will be ok? He'll only be a few weeks old, I'm not sure how else to take the picture without our hands in the way. I'm also thinking that we'll need pay extra to have it expedited since it took twelve weeks to get ours and that was last Feb.

Patty--I can't imagine your kids not wanting to do housework I can't wait until mine go back to school, Aug 24th can't come fast enough.

 

[jenbrem1]

Passport pictures - Since I'm convinced I can do this myself...If I do a fairly close up - shoulders up shot in front of a light background, that should work? That's what I'm getting from the requirements. I would need to crop it to size, of course.

 

[SB's Mom]

I recently did a passport for a 6 week old. His mother held him up and we snapped his picture. It looked "odd" but they accepted it. Be sure in your cropping that you make it the correct measurement from the top of the hair to the bottom of your chin. (it should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches) and the picture is 2x2. Be sure the shoulders show. (do a google search for passport pictures... when the search comes up. . . scroll down to Frequently asked question about passport pictures. . . this explains it very well)

 

[jenbrem1]

Awesome - thanks for your help!

 

[SB's Mom]

Stacie~ I talked with my cruise buddy from June and she said the Costco near her (she is in St Charles MO) will do passport pictures for about $3.00.

Have a great day!

Charlene

 

[TiaMaria]

Hi all,

Sorry I've not contributed lately to this thread, but things have been crazy around here with work, taking care of my Dad (he is going through chemo), my nephews 9th birthday (can he REALLY be 9?) and getting my sister, brother-in-law and niece and nephew off to Disney for their summer vacation (and keeping an eye on their late teenage petsitter!).

They called yesterday with great news. They were booked at Contemporary in a standard gardenview room. My sisters only request was a renovated room. Upon check-in, when she reconfirmed her request, the CM said "no problem, I am putting you in a 12th floor tower concierge room". My sister nervously asked "how much more is that?" and the CM told her "no charge"!! They are thrilled needless to say. My niece (7 1/2) looked off the balcony at Cinderella's castle and proclaimed "there's MY castle". When you all meet her, you won't be surprised - she believes she is Cinderellas twin, lol.

Jen- glad to hear your vacation went well - welcome back belatedly.

Stacie - great news about the bathroom - I'm sure you are happy and relieved.

Charlene - St. Charles is a NW suburb of St. Louis - I am in a SW suburb - about 20 minutes away from your tablemates!

Patty - welcome - another Midwesterner. Been to KC many times for Cards/Royals interleague. My nephew went to Worlds of Fun last year with our aunt for his birthday - considers himself an expert now, lol.

Smarttyone.... - welcome to this thread. Glad to have you aboard. Are you another Midwesterner, by chance.

Only other news here is that I booked 2 nights post-cruise at the Grand Floridian. The kids are still on Spring Break until Tuesday, March 27, so we thought we would at least hit Magic Kingdom Saturday, stay that night, do the pool thing Sunday morning and fly home Sunday night. Weren't sure yet what Southwests fares/schedules will be in March yet, so I booked 2 nights to be safe and figured we could always try to come back early Monday morning. I've got the insurance, so I can cancel up to 6 days out I believe. That way the kids could have at least 1 day to decompress and catch up with their parents before going back to school. Although if air works out that we can get the flight that gets back to STL at 8:25 pm - we'll come back Sunday night. I'd like to take a full day off before going back to work. Plus I am in sales (for a major newly-merged national telecommunications company, lol), so if I just had a so-so month before heading down to FL, I will be chomping at the bit to finish off my month strong.

Whew! That's all my news for now. Sorry if I left anyone out, but I'll catch up with you all later. So excited that we are in the 7 month range!!!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Maureen (Tia)--Sounds like you remembered to pack pixie dust with your neice and nephew. What a nice upgrade.

Sorry about your dad. Cancer sucks!! This week in Iowa it is RAGBRAI (The Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa). It is a week long ride from Western Iowa, starting at the Missouri River and ending in Eastern Iowa at the Mississippi river. Lance Armstrong flew in yesterday to ride the remainder of the week, talk about cancer, and raise money for his cancer foundation. People here a going nutso, he had paparazzi following him yesterday.

The kids both got wallpaper picked out for their rooms at the new house. We were going to go out yesterday with the relator and measure in the afternoon. I got a call from her in the morning that the current owners were there to move stuff and found water in the basement. It rained over 4" here on Tuesday night and they had never had water before but it seeped in under the walkout door and got all the carpet wet. Thankfully, the carpet in the basement doesn't have a pad and can be cleaned and dryed pretty easily. We also had them take the baseboard trim off so it and the drywall could dry out. Amazingly, our basement in our current house, that has a history of being wet, was totally dry. I guess all that money we spent tiling and on the new septic system was worth it. I wish Aug 15 would come so we can move and be done!

Definately a day to stay inside today. Highs in the upper 90s and so humid that you can feel the air. I don't know who invented Air Condiditioning but I really like them!

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[DW4US]

Stacie --- I wish we would've got some of your rain, it looks like we're going have to break down and water since the lawn people came out yesterday. Sorry to hear that your new house leaked, but at least it sounds like it's preventable in the future.

I guess I'm in the minority on school --- I really don't like it. Makes too many restrictions on my time and all the homework stress makes me crazy My youngest DD is a perfectionist and has to everything just so. I know that's good, but it sure adds to the stress.

We went out to the Royal's game Tuesday --- they actually won and they got 12 hits so we get free donuts! Pretty exciting for us since we usually miss by just one or two hits. Probably cost me more to drive out and get the donuts since we don't have Krispy Kreme close to us, but that's okay.

Have a great day everyone!!!!

 

[jenbrem1]

I remember that with the dozen hits and the dozen Krispy Kreme. It's funny with the Royals that it never happens!! It's too bad that it's not valid if the opposing team has 12 hits.

 

[TiaMaria]

We went out to the Royal's game Tuesday --- they actually won and they got 12 hits so we get free donuts! Pretty exciting for us since we usually miss by just one or two hits. Probably cost me more to drive out and get the donuts since we don't have Krispy Kreme close to us, but that's okay.

Have a great day everyone!!!!

The Cardinals do something like that too...something like hit a home run into "Big Mac Land" (way up high) and everyone in the park gets a free Big Mac the next day.

The hockey Blues do - 5 goals and you get a taco for .39 - they were so bad last year that I forgot. Whenever there were 4 goals - the organist would peck out some little 5 note ditty and the crowd would respond "we want tacos!". Funny - if you're there!

Has anyone done anything about excursions on your own, or are you going with the Disney sponsored ones? We are planning on doing the following:

St Maarten/St. Martin - getting off the ship around 10 and taking a taxi to Le Galion Beach just past the Butterfly Farm on the French side. We found reports that claim this is a quiet, great "family" beach i.e. little nudity - with very warm, shallow water and a sandy bottom that extends out over 100 yards - no sudden drop-offs and only about mid thigh high that far out (for adults) - apparently there is a reef/break out in the bay that keeps the big waves away - good snorkeling - beach restaurant nearby (Tropical Wave - menu is online - looks good and not overly expensive) that rents umbrellas and chairs inexpensively - clean bathrooms (a must!). Apparently you make arrangements for your taxi driver to return at a certain time. Will go back to the ship mid afternoon and relax or swim there also. Might have time to fit some shopping in - but been there before and would not care if we missed the shopping.

St. Thomas - we are taking a daysail on a 42' sailboat the Winifred. They only take up to 6 passengers total (but will do a tandem sail with another sailboat that they are pals with) over towards Caneel Bay on St. John. We need to take a taxi to be there about 9:30 and will have a little breakfast, a nice lunch, open bar, a freshwater shower and up to 2 snorkeling spots within the Virgin Islands National Park. The first mate swims with you and brings up all kinds of sea life for you - and takes special care of the children - especially if they are hesitant (like my niece! ). They stress how much they welcome children (unlike some of the "booze cruises") and we are only being charged $110 for me and $100 for each of the kids (cash rate - using a credit card is a bit more) Captain Sharon takes great care to get you back to Red Hook Marina in plenty of time for the Magic. They call their "own" taxi driver to be waiting and will tailor the sail to give you time to shop in the afternoon if you want. Again, I have been there several times and don't need to shop (except some t-shirts I can get at the pier). I have friends that chartered the Winifred about 3 years ago and said it was the highlight of their trip. All you bring are towels, sunscreen (they have t-shirts to swim in if anyone gets pink) and your camera. If anyone is interested in sailing with us that day (as far as I know my niece and nephew and I are the only ones on board so far) the website is www.sailwinifred.com.

We are still debating what to do on Castaway Cay. The jet skis sound great - that may be the only thing we plan ahead of time that day.

I know it's still early but is anyone else making plans yet?

 

[SB's Mom]

Be sure to have time for immigration at St Thomas. You are up EARLY and wait in the main theatre until you are cleared. They served coffee and danish while in line but nothing for the kids to drink!

We have always booked our excursion thru Disney.
In June we:
St Maartin: Dolphin Encounter at Anguilla (very rough 45 minute boat ride!) The dolphin was good.

St Thomas: Island Tour and Shopping

Castaway Cay: WE LOVE TO PARASAIL! When we cruised in 2004, Stacy was to little so she was in the kid's club until we got back and the rest of the day was spent at the family beach.
In June, Stacy parasailed tandem with her dad and LOVED it! Then we did the day at the family beach. We met our friends and all hung out together! It was so much fun!

I think book the excursion with Disney is best. If you book on your own and you get back to the port late, you have to get to the next port of call and meet the boat!

Have a great weekend!
Charlene

 

[TiaMaria]

Hi Charlene,

The parasailing sounds so wonderful too - we may just book that also for CC day. Thank you for the reminder about immigration on St. Thomas - such a pain. I will email Captain Sharon of the Winifred and let her know about timing as we get closer. I'm not worried about missing the ship - I usually do non-cruise excursions whenever I cruise - I find it easier and lots less expensive since I have been to many of the ports of call several times before.

My nephew is the adventurous one -so I know he would be up for the jet ski and/or parasailing on CC. My niece is getting a bit more adventurous as she gets older - but you never know with her. Of couse they may both want to abandon me and hang out with their kids group that day! I may end up just parking myself at Serenity Bay after all - who knows, lol?

 

[SB's Mom]

YEA! We were able to change our reservation from an inside cabin to a secret porthole cabin! Dear friends from our June cruise noticed on available on the March cruise. I call my TA but wasn't sure about the price difference. When I called her back to book it, I was afraid it was gone but it wasn't!

Have a great Monday!

Charlene

 

[MN Dis Fans]

That is awesome! We have a secret porthole room, too!

 

[TiaMaria]

YEA! We were able to change our reservation from an inside cabin to a secret porthole cabin! Dear friends from our June cruise noticed on available on the March cruise. I call my TA but wasn't sure about the price difference. When I called her back to book it, I was afraid it was gone but it wasn't!

Have a great Monday!

Charlene

That is great news for you! Congrats! Thank goodness for DIS'ers looking out for one another!

 

[DW4US]

Congrats on the secret porthole room! My DD badly wanted one of those rooms but we would need two (connecting) and I knew there was no way we'd get that. DD, of course, would be fine with her and sister up there on deck 5 and us down on 2, but that's not working for me! So we'll be down on 2 in the room we had on our first cruise , I really liked that location.

Have a great day everyone --- you all must be busy getting ready to go back to school (can't believe it's that time already). We registered my highschooler yesterday and we go to the middle school today so I can make my first "deposit"$$$$.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Charlene,
Congrats on the Secret Porthole Room! How odd is it that one of these rooms was available this late in the game? We also have the same room we had on the last cruise (6546), and the room connected to it (6544). The cheap side of me was going to put DS14 and DD12 in a cat 11 across the hall from our cat 6, but I just couldn't do it. I also couldn't give up a verandah, so it's connecting cat 6s for us.

I think my kids are all ready for school, we have the supplies bought and have paid the "registration" fee. School starts here on Aug 23. Not much of summer is left. DD and I go to Girl Scout Troop camp Tuesday-Friday. When we get back we're listing our house for sale, the following Tuesday (the 15th) we take possession of the new house. Somewhere in there I'd like to squeeze in a day or two at the Iowa State Fair, but it might not happen this year.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Hello again!! Just bumping up our thread.

Talked to my AAA agent yesterday and got our package for this trip. Off to Girl Scout Camp today until Friday. Hope everyone has a good week!